Propionibacterium acnes cells were tested for the ability to trigger lysosomal hydrolase release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Representative strains of P. acnes serotype I and II failed to stimulate lysosomal release in the absence of serum. P. acnes growth culture supernatants failed to trigger release under any test condition. Addition of fresh or heat-inactivated human serum resulted in lysosomal hydrolase release directly proportional to the number of P. acnes/PMN. Pooled sera from acne patients, with a high anti-P. acnes titer stimulated release to P. acnes. Preabsorption of this reagent with P. acnes cells reduced the anti-P. acnes titer and produced 93.37 +/- 11.49% inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release compared to unabsorbed anti-serum. Electron microscopy indicated that P. acnes was readily phagocytosed by PMNs when fresh or heated serum was present.